Stars Enthusiastically Pursue Mario Movie Roles

Glen Powell and Donald Glover both proactively reached out to Illumination studios to express their interest in joining the cast of 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie.' Rather than being approached by the studio, the actors directly pitched themselves for roles as iconic Nintendo characters.

Powell's Passion for Fox McCloud

According to Illumination head Chris Meledandri, Glen Powell’s fervent desire to voice Fox McCloud was instrumental in the character’s inclusion in the film. The studio was debating whether to incorporate characters from other Nintendo franchises, and Powell’s enthusiastic pitch ultimately swayed their decision.

Meledandri on Powell's Pitch

“He explained that we had to understand how deeply he loved the character of Fox McCloud,” Meledandri stated. “His dream was one day to be part of a movie.” Meledandri noted the serendipitous timing, as he and Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto were already discussing including Star Fox in the movie.

Glover's Determination to Play Yoshi

Donald Glover’s pursuit of a role was equally determined. After seeing the first movie, Glover contacted the studio, stating, “I need to be involved, if there’s any way with a Nintendo movie.”

Glover's Vision for Yoshi

Glover specifically expressed his desire to voice Yoshi, promising to deliver an “incredible” performance. Meledandri highlighted Glover’s talents as an actor, creator, and filmmaker, making him a desirable addition to the cast. “So it was really interesting that these two casting ideas came from the actors themselves,” Meledandri added.

The casting choices demonstrate a genuine enthusiasm from both actors for the Nintendo universe and its characters. This willingness to take on smaller roles highlights a personal connection to the source material.